Abstract
Transitioning from demolition to deconstruction practices for end-of-life performances is gaining increasing attention following the need for the construction industry to minimise construction and demolition waste. Building information modelling (BIM) presents an opportunity for sustainable deconstruction. However, the notion of BIM for deconstruction (BIMfD) is still in its infancy in the United Kingdom. Although a few studies on BIMfD are evident, a focus on identifying the underlying factors necessary for successful implementation of BIMfD is lacking. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyse the underlying factors necessary for BIMfD implementation in the UK construction industry. It employed a four-stage research design. The reviewed literature explored extant views on BIM implementation factors to identify an initial list of possible factors influencing BIMfD implementation. Subsequently, a mix of questionnaire, focus group discussions and structured interviews were employed at various stages to refine and contextualise 15 factors necessary for BIMfD implementation in the UK construction industry. The contextual interrelationships among the factors were evaluated using interpretive structured modelling (ISM). This evaluation culminated in a BIMfD implementation factor model. The findings identified BIMfD experts, responsiveness of business models to innovative practices and industry’s acceptance to embrace change as the principal factors influencing BIMfD implementation in the UK. The implications of the findings attest that BIMfD experts and advisors must champion the adoption and implementation of BIMfD in the UK and business models need to become more responsive to accommodate BIMfD innovative practices. A BIMfD framework was conceptualised. Even though the BIMfD framework was designed from the UK perspective, the global construction industry can leverage the outcomes of this study. This paper, therefore, brings to the fore, a hierarchical BIMfD implementation factor model to support improved deconstruction practices in the construction industry.
Highlights
The study findings highlight these factors as crucial in addressing issues associated with BIM for deconstruction (BIMfD) implementation in the United Kingdom (UK) compared with previous research on Building information modelling (BIM) implementation for construction and facility management where the cost [52], research in BIM [57] and availability of BIM tools [43] and industry resistance to change [44] were reported as critical BIM implementation factors
The urgent need for the UK construction industry to mitigate waste and embrace circular economy practices provide a favourable opportunity for implementing BIMfD in project development
BIMfD is viewed as a process underpinned by digital technologies that supports analysis of deconstructability throughout a building’s life cycle, reducing construction waste while promoting sustainability and circular economy principles
Summary
More than one-third of all the waste generated in the European Union consists of concrete, bricks, ceramics, wood and glass [3] These wastes originate from activities and decisions made at various stages of a building’s life cycle [4]. One of the reasons for slow BIM for deconstruction (BIMfD) practice is attributed to the poor understanding of underlying factors needed for its implementation. In this regards, this study identifies and analyse the underlying factors necessary for BIMfD implementation in the United Kingdom (UK) construction industry and models the relationships of the identified factors using interpretive structural modelling. The contents of the proposed model help construction experts and especially those involved in the building life cycle process to identify the key underlying factors for effective BIMfD implementation in the construction industry.
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